Historic Oxford Schoolhouse
Established May 1877

Contact Information:
April Bishop
Cultural Arts Coordinator
913-339-6700 x157

Oxford School is one of the oldestschools in the state of Kansas. The school was moved from its original location at 135th and Mission Road in March 2003 to its present location in Ironwoods Park. The Oxford School opened in 1877 and continued to operate as a school until 1955. From the 1960s into the mid-90s it was used as a house of worship. Great care was taken to restore the building to its original beauty with historic accuracy. The Kansas Preservation Alliance selected the Leawood Historic Commission as the recipient of a 2005 Award for Excellence for Preservation Advocacy for their role in preserving the Oxford Schoolhouse.

Open House
Visit the school and talk with a costumed docent about the history of Oxford School and the surrounding rural area.
Historic Oxford Schoolhouse will be open to the public free of charge
Every Saturday, September 9th through November 18
11am to 2 pm
Located in Ironwoods Park
147th & Mission Road, Leawood, KS 66224

The Historic Oxford Schoolhouse offers programs for groups of all ages by appointment year-round.
Schedule a fun and educational program for any age group year-round, any day of the week. During the restoration of the school, heating and air-conditioning were added so your group will be comfortable any time of the year. Electric lights allow us to present evening programs.

The Oxford Experience for groups of all ages:
Adult Groups

• Civic organizations, women’s groups, church groups and senior citizen living communities have all enjoyed their visit to Oxford School. You will be delighted to see the school and hear about its restoration process. Hear about life in a rural one-room school district around the turn of the century. Share your experiences of one-room school life or reminisce about the “good old days”. Presentations can be tailored to your group’s interests. Cost for adult programs is $2 per person.

Youth Groups

• Scouts, church groups and any child with an interest in history will be fascinated to hear about local rural life in a bygone era. Book a program for your youth group for an after school, weekend or summer experience. Youth group programs will be designed to your group’s age level. This living history experience can include discussions on life a century ago, using slates and McGuffey’s readers or can involve making an historic craft and learning old-time games. Scout programs can meet badge requirements. Cost for youth programs is $3 per child.

Historic Oxford Schoolhouse is open for educational classroom field trips: Living History Classrooms

 

• 4th and 5th Grade classes can participate in a living history day of classes circa 1910. Experience a fun and educational day in a rural one-room schoolhouse. The Oxford experience begins at 10:00 am and lasts until 2:00 pm. This classroom program includes using old fashioned slates for lessons in arithmetic and McGuffey’s readers for reading and includes a spelling bee. Midday includes a lunch break as well as recess with structured historic games. The cost per student is $4.00, and includes four free adults. The school can accommodate a maximum of 27 students plus 4 adults.

• 3rd Grade classes can experience a condensed living history program which includes shortened versions of lessons using slates for arithmetic, and spelling and reading from old-time McGuffey’s readers. This session will also include discussions on life in a rural one-room schoolhouse 100 years ago. This half day program begins at 10:30 and ends following lunch and recess at 1:00 pm. The cost per student is $3.00, and includes four free adults. The school can accommodate a maximum of 27 students plus 4 adults.

Each living history classroom can be tailored to suit the needs of individual classes by the request of the teacher. Prior to your visit the teacher will receive a pre-packet of information to help you prepare for you day at Oxford School including the class schedule. Teacher may make modifications to the lessons or request the addition of information that may apply to your particular classrooms needs.

The Oxford School field trip is coordinated through Leawood Parks and Recreation Department and the Leawood Historic Commission. A costumed teacher will conduct the Oxford school day.

Special Events
Special events are offered throughout the year such as Holiday Traditions in December and End of the School Year Celebration in May as well as Prairie Book Club each week in June and July. The Oxford School will host old-time musicians, speakers and historical educational opportunities. For updated information of special events check the City of Leawood website at www.leawood.org.

 

Costumed docents will conduct your Oxford Experience.
All programs and special events are conducted by costumed docents.

Join the Docent Program
Men and women can become actively involved by joining the volunteer Oxford School Docent Program. If you have an interest in one-room schoolhouse history, greeting weekend guests, presenting historic programs and crafts to youth groups, or speaking with adult groups about the Oxford School then this is the volunteer position for you.

There is no phone at the schoolhouse.
For more information or to schedule your Oxford Experience please phone April Bishop at city hall, 913-339-6700 ext 157.